Land records

From 1787 free settlers in New South Wales could be granted land by the Governor. A single male was entitled to 30 acres, while a married man received 50 acres and an additional 10 acres for each child if his wife and children were with him at the time the land grant was made. In 1825 the sale of land by private tender began and restrictions were imposed on the maximum size of land that could be granted freely. At the same time a survey of the Colony was undertaken that divided settled areas into Counties, Hundreds and Parishes.

Documents relating to original land grants and purchases are held in State Records NSW or, as further States were created, in the relevant State archival repository. After the original land grant, records of further transactions on a particular piece of land will be found in the relevant State’s Titles Office.

How can I find out if my ancestor owned any land?

There are a number of surname indexes to land records that are available in the State Library of Queensland collections and/or online. Most of these are organized by State.

Queensland

Note: For records relating to Queensland prior to Separation in 1859 check land records for New South Wales.

Queensland State Archives holds an extensive range of early Queensland pastoral maps showing the names of the original land owners. Land selection files for the period 1868 -1884 have been indexed and can be located in a surname search of their catalogue. A number of online Land indexes are also available.

The indexes include:

Land orders 1865-1866

Land selections prior to 1884

Mineral leases 1871-1940

Miners rights 1874–1880

Register of land sold 1842-1859

Register of lands 1861-1868

Register of lands sold 1849-1861

Register of Pastoral Holdings 1863 - 1880

Rents payable on pastoral runs 1860-1911

Soldier Settlement Ledger 1917-1929

Transfer of runs 1848-1874

There are also the following guides available at Queensland State Archives:

Crown land sales in Queensland [CD-ROM] / Eileen B. Johnson (QCFS 333.3309943 2010). Contains 3 indexes covering the years 1842 to 1911, and indexes material from Queensland State Archives as well as information from the New South Wales Legislative Assembly – Votes and Proceedings 1854.

Index to Queensland land records 1856-1859 [microfiche] / compiled by Marianne Eastgate and Pearl Whatling (FICHE 333.3232 eas). A supplement to land records indexed in the Queensland early pioneers index 1824-1849 (above). Covers land titles for the period 1856-1859 that were not previously indexed.

Register of land & town purchases for Morton [sic] Bay 1842-43 [microfilm] (MFL 929.3943 200- ) AO/SR Reel numbers 1397, 2701. These lists give name of purchaser and city or town of residence. Includes a full description of the land purchased and the name of the county and parish. Covers Moreton Bay and New South Wales.

[Letters from individuals re land, 1826-56] [microfilm] / Colonial Secretary’s Office (MFL 929.3944 199-). SR/AO reels 1081-1200. These include letters from individuals as well as memoranda, reports, applications and petitions relating to a land grant, purchase, rent or lease of land in the colony.

List of runs assessed, 1844-1845 [microfilm] / Commissioner of Crown Lands, Portland Bay (MFL 929.3944 1816-1856) SR/AO reel 2756. Indexed on the CD-ROM “Index to itineraries and returns of the Commissioners of Crown Lands 1837-1849, and itineraries of Foster Fyans returns of population and livestock 1844-1846”

The New South Wales military volunteer land grants / Laurel Burge for the Council of the New South Wales Military Historical Society (G 333.1609944 1976). Compiled from lists originally published in NSW Votes and Proceedings. Lists grants made 1867-1878 to NSW military volunteers who had completed 5 years service.

Northern Territory

How can I find out about land owned by an ancestor in a particular area?

Parish maps record original land grants and are a very useful family history resource. The State Library of Queensland holds some early parish maps and related material for both Queensland and New South Wales. Examples include: